Save on your electric bill!
There are several things in our homes and at work that are “secretly” using electricity. We can save money by implementing some of the following ideas:
Use a programmable thermostat. Set it to raise or lower the temperature setting automatically when you’re not home. – Lower your temperature down by 1 to 2 degrees in the winter and raise it 1 to 2 degrees in the summer months. (Especially at night when you are sleeping). Don’t run your heat as high or your cooling system as low whenever nobody is at home.
Make sure all air filters are clean, all year long.
Heat/cool only rooms that you are using. As long as there is no air-return vent in that room, close the vents and doors to unused rooms.
Install storm windows or install inexpensive plastic sheeting on the inside to control temperature efficiency (especially in winter)
Make sure all your doors and windows are sealed with weather stripping strips and or sealants, such as caulking.
On a windy day feel for leaks around windows and doors, make sure you get them all sealed as quickly as possible.
Check for holes in your roof and in all heating/cooling pipes, vents.
You should also try to have a full load when washing clothes and dishes. You can also save money by washing your clothes in the cold water cycle. They even make special detergents now for the cold cycle.
Keep your refrigerator and freezer full. A full refrigerator will cost less to operate than an empty one.
Use a clothes line to dry your clothes. If you must use the dryer, then place 2 or 3 dry hand towels in with a load of wet clothes. Cuts drying time down almost in half.
Dryer – Make sure it is clean and free of lint. Consider the use of an off-peak meter. The power is cheaper, but you have to use during times when overall electrical demand is lower (late evening etc.). Check with your local power company for more information.
Hot water – If you have electric hot water, that could account for a large part of your bill. If possible, switch to gas. If that is not feasible, reduce the temperature of the tank to 130-140 and insulate it with a jacket.
When using dishwasher, don’t use heat dry. Instead do it late at night and open dishwasher to air dry.
During the winter months, use dark-colored curtains in windows. During the summer, use lightly colored ones. This will use the sun’s energy to your advantage.
Lighting is another major electric expense. One way you can save money on lighting is to replace a fourth of your lights that you use the most with fluorescent lightning. If you do this, you can save about fifty percent of your lighting energy bill.
You can also save on your lighting expense by using dimmers, timers and motion detectors outside. And, of course, you should always shut off lights that you are not using.
When buying appliances, look for the energy star label. This label shows that the government rates this appliance as being energy efficient.
Posted: June 25th, 2009 under Home and Family.
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